USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 68
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The committee on the property of the Church, stated, that Mr. Lewis Morris had paid not the least attention to the friendly letter written to him in the name of the Consistory. It was determined to appoint the Elders, Brinckerhoff, Roose- velt, and Duicking, a committee to make known in a friendly way to Mr. Walton, as security on the bond, the conduct of Mr. Morris; and that other means would be taken in hand by the Consistory.
Domine Lambertus de Ronde stated to the Consistory the death of his mother and the pressing necessity of his going to the Fatherland, with a request for a release for a time from the congregation; and other circumstances which the Consistory promised to consider and to give an answer by next Tuesday at 6 P. M.
Signed etc.,
Archibald Laidlie, p. t. President.
New York, July 14th, 1772.
Resolved, respecting the proposal of domine Lambertus de Ronde:
1. That the Consistory is convinced of the necessity of his Reverence's departure to Holland, and permits him, as. second Dutch minister, to go for a year or fifteen months at the furthest, before they will be free to call another in his place.
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2. That the Consistory cannot consent to let his salary continue during his absence, but will pay him £150. for his traveling expenses, on his bond, without interest.
Signed etc.,
Archibald Laidlie.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
(Kingston. )
1772, July 20th. The Rev. Depp. have received a letter from Kingston, dated April 16, 1772, signed by the Elders and Deacons ... xiv. 289.
Synodalia, 1772.
New York and New Jersey. Art. 43. Inseratur the report of our Committee ad res Exteras. xiv. 298.
ACTS OF THE SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY 28-AUG. 6, 1772,
PP. 37-42. VOL. 65.
ARTICLE 44 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
Their Hon. Mightinesses, the Corresponding Delegates and the Deputies will all be glad to hear good news from those regions. All the Classes give this matter into the hands of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, wishing the church there success, and asking the Classis to continue its efforts; expressing their thanks also for all the information communicated to the Rev. Assembly.
The Classis of Amsterdam informs the Christian Synod of its having received & letter from the Rev. Convention of Ministers and Elders of the Reformed Dutch Churches in the Provinces of New York and New Jersey, assembled at the kind request of the Rev. Consistory of New York, at that place, Oct. 15, 16, 17, and 18, 1771, for the purpose of planning for the peace and unity of the churches. The letter was dated Oct. 18, 1771, and signed by John H. Livingston, S.S.Th. Doctor, Verbi Divini Minister, Neo Eboracensis, President; Isaac Rysdyk, V. D. M. of Fishkill, etc., Scriba, and Eilardus Westerlo, V. D. M. of Albany, Scriba. It stated that the letters, written by the Classis to the Brethren of the Conferentie and the Coetus, had duly been received by their Reverences; that thereupon the Consistory of New York had invited their churches to come together there for the purpose of planning for a desirable Union; that shortly after that, the most of them had assembled there; that their Revs. had already received several reports concerning those who were absent, which went to show that the greater part of them had stayed away on account of domestic inconveniences, and so led them to hope that the Plan of Union would meet their pleasure.
This Plan, taken from the minutes of their Assembly, held from the 15th to the 18th of October, they had, as their Revs. write, the honor of obligingly and dutifully sending with their letter to the Classis, and with the humble and most earnest request that it would consider the same as soon as possible, and approve it in accordance with the general desire of the churches assembled.
They flatter themselves with the hope that this beginning of peace, love and unity will be particularly agreeable to the Classis, while its care for the Church of God in that country makes them confident that, after the Union so happily effected, the Classis will take special pleasure, in what, in the interest of their churches, they have taken the liberty to submit for its consideration and advice.
The approval of the Classis is of so great importance that, without it, nothing
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can be definitely settled; and in this particular it would have so much influence, that the Classis, as their Revs. hope, will be the more readily and strongly moved to favor a general, well-established Union.
The letter closes with a request for a favorable and early answer.
The Minutes of the abovementioned Convention, consisting of 22 ministers and 24 elders, 46 members in all, which were forwarded, with the letter mentioned, to the Classis, is of the following import:
[Here follow the Minutes of the Convention complete. See Oct. 15-18, 1771.] Note-In a postscript to the aforesaid letter their Revs. state that in the Minutes of their Convention they had forgotten to mention that Rev. Hermanus Meyer fully and cheerfully agreed with them about the Articles of Union.
A letter, written by the Rev. Consistory of New York to the Classis concerning this matter, contained among other things the following:
That, as the letters from the Classis have served as the basis of their Union, and as the Plan (of Union) which it proposed was followed as closely as possible in the Articles of their Union, their Revs. had reason to hope that the Plan would be acceptable to all the churches in that country; and that, therefore, they wish that it may please the Classis to accept the Plan in its entirety, and to approve it without essential changes, in order that by means of its confirmation with full con- sent of the Classis, the Peace and Union effected may be the more readily wel- comed by all, and endure for all time.
That, after mature deliberation the names of "Convention" and "Coetus" were not mentioned, but only those of Particular and General Assemblies were used, because the old name of Coetus is so well liked in that country, that it is to be feared that many who trouble themselves more about names than things might, for the sake of the name, not unite with them; and the name of Convention also, as being the same with that of an Assembly of Episcopal ministers, would not be suitable to them.
That, as we live so far removed from them, and possibly cannot be so well acquainted with the particular domestic circumstances of their churches as those who are there, their Revs. take the liberty to state that, living under an English government, they are by their beloved rulers established in their "freedom" and in their "Ecclesiastical Acts," as a Netherland Church; and that they are sur- rounded also by a number of sects which have, all of them, a high regard for them from the fact that they bear the name of, and are essentially one with, the renowned Netherland Zion. From this it appears how necessary it is for them to prove in all things that they are indeed a Holland Church, and that they hold themselves, not only to the Doctrine, but also, as far as practicable, to the Form of Government established by the Synod of Dordrecht in 1618 and 1619; and that, therefore, it would be, not only for their respectable standing, but even for their safety, to have the very name and form of government of the churches in Holland; but that, because they are intent on a strong connection (sterke verbinternisse) with their Mother Church, and because such connection cannot well be maintained under the names of Classis and Synod, they have resolved to abide by the names of Particular and General Assemblies.
That, finally, their Revs. feel assured that the agreeable tidings concerning their so happily effected peace will be a matter of rejoicing to the Classis; they also cherish the hope that the Lord, who has begun thus remarkably to bless them, will continue to be with them, and establish there a flourishing Church-State, a true New Netherland, a Daughter, who shall be to her respected Mother an honor, and if need be, a Pella.
The Classis, to which the care of the Church of New York and New Jersey was left by the Christian Synod, by its action in the year 1758, (1768) and which, in the year 1770, was requested by the Christian Synod to keep the churches of New York and New Jersey under its supervision, and, in matters that come up, to act according to circumstances, has, in order to cause no delay in this salutary work of peace, but rather to cause it to come to a full conclusion, at its first meeting after the receipt of the agreeable reports, maturely considered the Articles framed, and found that they substantially agree with the Plan proposed; and, taking into account also, all the special circumstances in which the New York and New Jersey churches are situated, it has unanimously approved the Plan of Union, without making any change therein or adding anything thereto, heartily desiring
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that those brethren also who were not present at the meeting and those churches which have not yet accepted this Plan may be animated with the same zeal for peace and Unity, and accept the Plan of Union without making essential changes therein; in such a way, however, that the General Assembly of the United brethren or churches shall not only retain the liberty, but, according to the contents of all Articles approved by the Classis, be also obliged to make such additions and regu- lations concerning domestic matters as the well-being of the churches shall require.
Whereof, the now United Brethren, Ministers and Elders of the Churches in the Provinces of New York and New Jersey, were by the Classis, by the first oppor- tunity, via. London, informed. Their Hon. Mightinesses, the Corresponding Dele- gates, the Deputies and all the Classes are glad that peace has been effected, and accept the reports, for information.
In answer to the letter of Rev. Martinet; a letter was received from the Presby- terian Synod of New York and Philadelphia, containing a declaration of its desire to enter into correspondence with the North Holland Synod; but, as the Synod is anxious to know what matters that correspondence is to cover, it asks the scribe to send a most friendly reply to the above named letter.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, Aug. 3rd, 1772.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
Upon the foregoing resolution, domine Lambertus de Ronde made a further representation, that he had the consent of various neighboring ministers to per- form service, during his absence, at the Consistory's request. For this he would satisfy them. He therefore requested that the salary might continue during his absence without any reduction.
After long consideration the Consistory resolved that the foregoing Resolution be repealed, and in its place that his Reverence should receive £150., on his bond, for one year, without interest; £50. for a present; and £50. yearly, to be paid to his wife in quarterly payments; and further, the Consistory would provide for the service and pay the ministers during his absence.
Signed etc., Archibald Laidlie, p. t. President.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, Oct. 5th, 1772.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
The Elders Theodore Van Wyck, Jacobus Van Zandt, Isaac Roosevelt and Abram Lott were chosen, with the ministers, to attend the ensuing Meeting of Ministers and Elders, with the same authority as in the previous meeting.
The Deacon Jno. Steg was directed to make a new vault in the New Church yard, which he undertook to do.
Resolved, That no wood be laid in for stoves in the churches during the winter season.
Signed, J. H. Livingston, p. t. President.
GENERAL MEETING OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, OCT. - 1772. IN MINTS. OF SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY, 1773, ART. 46.
EXTRACTS .- APPROVAL OF CALLS.
Rev. H. Meyer presented to the Rev. Body a Call from Totowa and Pompton, and requested its kind approval, which was granted, in connection with hearty prayers
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and desires for a blessing upon the event. The Rev. Body, at this meeting, approved the testimonial given at his request to Dr. Hermanus Meyer by the last President and Clerk, and decided it sufficient.
CASE OF J. ARONDEUS.
The Rev. Body perceiving that a certain Joannes Arondeus claims to be a Reformed Dutch Minister, while yet, as far, as they know, he is possessed of no ecclesiastical attestation, this Rev. Body warn all Reformed Churches not to admit him or any others who have not suitable testimonials to the ministration of the Word and sacraments.
TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING.
The gentlemen appointed a committee more particularly to define the time and mode of the General and Particular ecclesiastical meetings which are to be held, reported to the Rev. Body, that according to their unanimous judgment,
1. The General Meeting might conveniently, according to former usage, be held on the first Tuesday of October; and that since it has now, three times in succes- sion, been held at New York, it should next be held at Kingston, and thenceforth alternately at these places, in accordance with the Plan of Union, Art. XVIII.
2. Respecting the Particular Bodies, the Committee are of opinion:
(a) That the most suitable time of meeting will be the third Tuesday of Sep- tember ; the members of the same being left at liberty afterwards to make such other regulations with reference to it as they may be best able; as also,
(b) That the calling of the Particular meetings, both ordinary and extraordinary, shall now, for the first time, be executed by the oldest Minister in years and service of each of them:
Of that of New York, Rev. Joannes Ritzema; Kingston, Rev. Isaac Rysdyk; Albany, Rev. J. C. Freyenmoet; New Brunswick, Rev. Joannes Leydt; Hackensack, Rev. J. H. Goetschius.
3. Respecting the congregations which still stand aloof, they are of opinion that, by reason of the distance and for greater convenience, privilege should be given them to subscribe the Articles of Union in the Particular Assemblies, a copy and report of which should be given and made to the next General Meeting ; and to this end, as well as for the purpose of recording their Acts, each body shall keep a book or ledger in which, first of all, the Articles of the Plan of Union shall be carefully recorded, and be again first subscribed by the component members whereby opportunity will at the same time be afforded to those congregations to subscribe which have not as yet done so.
4. They are also of opinion, that each particular body should be required to deliver, by their delegates, their Minutes to the General Ecclesiastical Body, to the end that, by comparing the order and method of procedure adopted in them with the Articles of Union, the same may, as far as possible, be rendered uniform.
These things having been considered, the Rev. Body resolved to change the pro- posal of the Committee into a resolution of this Rev. Body.
PROFESSORATE.
The subject of Professorship having been in the most careful, serious and atten- tive manner considered, and having been discussed at length, it was concluded by the Rev. Body, that there was as yet no prospect of consummating this object, especially as it was feared that a collection at the present time might give occasion to some of the congregations which yet stood aloof, still longer to defer subscribing, besides causing other inconveniences.
Wherefore, the Rev. Body, although to their regret, postponed action on this subject, with earnest recommendations, notwithstanding to the respective brethren
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not only to keep the matter alive and most earnestly lay it to heart, but, at all convenient opportunities, to represent it to their congregations as one of the chief prerequisites to the well-being of our Church; and at the same time to seek to ascertain how far it might be possible for each one to establish in his congregation a fund for the forementioned purpose, and to report the same to the next General Meeting.
BEST PLACES FOR STUDENTS.
Is, in the meantime, Resolved, That if, in the interval, any students should be desirous of being prepared for the holy ministry, they shall resort to one of the following places, as best calculated to secure a learned education, viz: New York, Albany, Fishkill, Raritan, and Hackensack.
KINGSTON AND REV. MEYER.
It further seemed fit to the Rev. Body, in order to effect an adjustment of the difficulties at Kingston, to appoint a committee, to produce, if possible, a recon- ciliation as well between the congregation and Rev. Meyer as between the different parties in the congregation. The gentlemen delegated were Revs. J. Rysdyk and E. Westerlo.
THE GENERAL MEETING OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, PER REV. J. H. GOETSCHIUS, PRESIDENT AND JOHN C. RUBEL, SCRIBE, TO THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, SECOND TUESDAY, OCT. 1772. VOL. 33, PAGE 410. No. 484. (Abstract.)
In this they say that they receievd our letter, with the Acts of the Synod of the year 1771 in good order and in due time. In the name of the General Meeting they thanked us for the fraternal love and care shown them in this way. They say that they were glad to notice from our letter the satisfaction which the Classis takes in the Union effected by them; and declare themselves willing to employ every means and effort to bring the brethren, who still keep at a distance, and their churches, to their love-inspired Union and the signing of the Articles adopted. To which end they will, if necessary, take the liberty to ask the Classis for advice. They send, in name of the general Assembly, the Minutes of their session, held on the second Tuesday in the month of October, 1772. From this we can see what is the state of their churches, for'the improvement of which they pray ; and close with congratulation.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, Oct. 30th, 1772.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
1. Resolved, That the two lots in Maiden Lane lying next to the house of Col. Robert Livingston, be leased to Walter Heyer and Jonathan Blake for a term of fifteen years, at the yearly rent of £25. for the two. This they shall divide with each another and each bring his quota.
2. The Elder Brinckerhoff, presented a general account of receipts and expendi- tures of the collections from the beginning made in these congregations under English worship, from May 17, 1764 up to October 29, 1772, amounting in all to £2911:14:7. Out of this had been paid, according to custom, founded on the proposal and resolution of Mr. Abram Lefferts and others, in July 21, 1763, since the aforesaid English service in the New Church was begun, as follows: Two thirds of the expense of the salary of the chorister ; one half for the support of the poor ; all the costs of the candles ; and further, all that peculiarly belonged to the English ser-
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vice, amounting in the aforesaid time to £1918:18:10; so that there was a remainder of ££992:15:9. This account was read in Consistory and approved and thereon Resolved
1. That the same be recorded in the Deacon's book.
2. That the Treasurer of the church strike off the sum of £436: 4: 2, for the printing etc. of the English Psalm book, and put the said sum to the Debit of the Deacons.
Signed etc., J. H. Livingston, p. t. President.
REV. JOHN ARONDEUS AT NEW YORK, TO THE VERY REV. CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, DEC. 2, 1772.
Portfolio, "New York," Vol. II. Also Abstract, in Vol. 33, page 389. No. 477. Postage paid to London.
Much Respected Sirs and Brethren :-
When I brought to your Revs. a package of letters from Jamaica, on Long Island, it became sufficiently clear from my certificate that I could no longer find my neces- sary support in Kings County. The entire Consistory of the five united churches, however, made request that I might be helped.
After I had invested three-fourths of my capital (staatje) in Gelderland, I went to live under the government of the King of Denmark for several years, because living there was very cheap. I found there but thirteen people of the Reformed Church, whom I sought to edify as well as myself. And when some years later my only income (interest) failed, I was obliged to employ a lawyer ; and now I have lost everything, as I can prove by a letter received from him.
The thought then occurred to me that, inasmuch great numbers sail for America, yearly, coming from many quarters, the spiritual harvest there must be great; and that, it would be best for me to locate there. So I went there from Holland with a proper certificate. I then found that there was need of thirteen ministers for places, all of which I can name, and which are vacant to this day. But everywhere they told me that they had been instructed to let no one preach in their churches save those who were approved by the Classis of Amsterdam. This necessitated me
to preach in houses and barns, for which I received 8 or 9 stivers, Dutch money, besides free residence. After doing this for five years, the people became disaffected through the influence of envious slanderers. They gave me, however, a certificate in which they state that they have not the least doubt that other churches will find that my manner of life is blameless, and my teaching very acceptable, and blest.
I was asked further what I thought of Van Sinderen's saying from the pulpit, that, in the old countries I had hanged myself, and had then been buried at a crossroad. I replied, " That is a falsehood which requires no answer." In this country nothing can be done on account of any slanders, unless it can be proven that, because of them, losses have been sustained. Finally, the question was asked: "What about that report concerning unchastity?" I asked the two deacons (whose names were) mentioned, " Did you accuse me of unchastity?" Their reply was, "O no, Sir." As soon as I learned that I was charged with such an utter falsehood, I took my oath before Justice Nagel ; and I am very willing to suffer the penalty for perjury, if any one can prove that I have made use of such unholy language (as perjury). " Well," said I, "then I must have your written testimony, signed by these wit- nesses, in order to prevent damaging consequences."
Thereupon I let one of the oldest ministers read all the said writings, and his answer was, " If our Conferentie had been enabled to act by itself, you would have been readily and long since relieved ; but now everything seems to have become a very Babel of confusion." Another minister said, "I find the seed of the devil in it ; but I will risk my blood and life to keep it from exercising any influence." One elder who happened to hear it, said: " I do not at all doubt but that the report will pass away and come to nothing." Whereupon another elder said, "The fellow- ship of such is without real love, like that between the cows and the flies."
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So I find myself necessitated to take refuge with your Revs .; and I most humbly ask for a favorable restoration, in order that I may be found to abound and to be steadfast in the work of the Most High. If the answer I hope for might come to me under cover, addressed to Mr. Hendrik Oudenaarde, merchant at New York it would be sure to find its way to me.
Wishing your Revs. every blessing, I sign myself, as in truth,
Your Very Revs.
Most obliged Servant,
John Arondeus.
Written at New York,
December 2, 1772.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, Dec. 15th, 1772.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
Resolved, that the collections in the Old Church and the New Church shall be in accordance with the 6th of the 8 Articles, (Dec. 16, 1762) for the church and the poor members, and that they be no more kept separate; and although the resolution of July 21, 1763, is impaired by this, inasmuch as the ministers in the English service may be deprived of the funds, in case the subscription runs short; yet the Consistory deems it better to supply that lack by the overplus of the Elders' revenues; and if, in course of time, this should occasion any difficulty, the English minister shall have the right to appeal to the resolution of July 21, 1763. Therefore the records, in the Deacons' book, shall remain as they are, so. far as to denote separately the collections in the separate services.
A new bond was signed and sealed to Capt. Jno. Shoals, for £600. at six per cent., in place of one called in by Mr. Henry van der Spiegel.
Resolved, That it shall be published next Sunday afternoon in the North Church that they who are in arrears for pew rents in that Church shall make payment before the 20th or 25th of January next; otherwise the pews shall be let to the first comer.
Signed etc., J. Ritzema, p.t. President.
THE TRUSTEES OF QUEENS COLLEGE, (PER REVS. J. R. HARDEN- BERGH, JOHN LEYDT, AND JOHN M. VAN HARLINGEN), TO THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, DEC. 30, 1772. VOL. 33, PAGE 415. No. 485.
(Abstract.)
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